After attaching the towbar to the plane, you should also ensure that the towbar is appropriately connected to the nose landing gear and the tug before towing the aircraft. Secure Aircraft & Towbar ConnectionsĮnsure that all aircraft doors are closed, ladders are retracted or removed, and landing gear is fully down and locked before beginning aircraft towing. The aircraft tug operator will need to be in constant communication with both the cockpit observer and the air traffic controllers during the entire process. Test Radio System to Ensure Good Line of Communicationīefore personnel can begin towing aircraft, operators should test the radio system to ensure that personnel can communicate during the transport. If this is unavoidable, make sure aircraft navigation lights and the runway are both thoroughly lit before beginning an aircraft pushback. If possible, ground personnel should avoid aircraft towing and pushback procedures in the dark. Check Lighting When Performing Procedures at Night Any potential hazards should be identified, eliminated, controlled and documented to minimize risk. Before connecting the towbar to the nose landing gear, ground personnel must inspect the aircraft tug tractor for defects or extraneous material that could interfere with safe operations. Ground personnel should always inspect aircraft tugs, towbars and any other equipment used in the process of an airplane pushback or tow before each aircraft towing procedure to ensure that they're in working order. Inspect Aircraft Tug Tractors Before Every Use The greatest deterrent of tug accidents is well-trained and educated employees. It's also beneficial for employees to pass a proficiency test on all aircraft they'll be towing before operating any aircraft tugs. Not to mention, operating an aircraft tug tractor requires in-depth driving knowledge and skill to avoid damaging the aircraft through accidental jackknifing, uncontrolled movement or the inability to stop motion.Īirports must require all employees to undergo thorough, on-the-job education and tug training. Without proper tug training, it can be exceptionally easy for ground personnel to suffer a serious injury. While the basic principles of aircraft towing are pretty easy to understand, each aircraft has its own nose landing gear mounting and dismounting procedures. Safely using aircraft ground support equipment involves proper ground personnel training. While the following is not an exhaustive list, it's a good jumping-off point for establishing mandatory practices, protocols and checklists for safely and securely using aircraft tugs. In this article, we'll give you 12 essential safety protocols to follow to ensure your ground personnel can prevent tug accidents. When ground crews operate an aircraft tug, specific protocols and safety procedures must be put in place to prevent potential tugs accidents, injuries or fatalities from occurring. It's estimated that nearly 27,000 ramp accidents occur in airports worldwide each year, and the International Air Transportation Association has stated that almost 87 percent of these accidents happen when towing aircraft.
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